Tuesday, February 26, 2013

"Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, "Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live."

Exodus 1:22

This particular historical moment in the land of Egypt for the Israelites was agonizing and unbelievably dark. Before this resolution came to Pharaoh, the complication was stated earlier (1:8-11) when the sons of Israel became too many that the Pharaoh dreaded that they would become a mighty people and turn against them. So he dealt shrewdly to them and afflict them with heavy burdens. However, the more that the Israelites were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread (1:12). While reading this passage, I wonder, at that time, how many couples were asking God for a child and were granted? And how many among them were appealing to Him to forbid pregnancy because they had enough children? Yet the will of God stands. I am almost certain that having a child or not having one was determined by God Himself for His plan of delivering the Israelites from the hands of Pharaoh.

At times, we are busy asking God of what we want. Our prayers are full of ourselves, as if all the world is looking at us. But as I examine this story closely, every detail in our lives is allowed to happen not just for our good but more so, for the glory of God. For this is the very purpose we are made.

I pictured the parents of those baby boys who were casted into the river of Nile. Sorrowful tears and pleadings might have been flooding the atmosphere. They could be asking, why did God let this happen to the innocent ones? Why did God let them bear a child just so the egyptians could throw them in the struggling waters of this river? Little they know, the future of this present mishap was shining brightly not merely for them, but for the rest of the surviving generations. That that very moment would eventually reveal the working power of God that the world had ever known. Those infants were not sacrificed but served a noble purpose. The noble purpose of being part of God's plan to preserve the mediator of the Old Testament. And I believe that as they afloat in that river, God's providence was upon them, and were brought home safely into the arms of their Maker.

Even Jesus lived this purpose. He knew He was sent to suffer in our behalf. Not to partake but to wholly take the wrath of God upon Himself, as a substitute for us and our sins. Our Lord did not falter but remained focused. He could have given up on us if He wanted to. Yet He clearly understood why the Father sent Him. His purpose is to do the Father's will in complete obedience. That's why when Peter showed His concern to Him by not agreeing to what He needed to go through to save mankind, He rebuked Him.

Living the purpose of God in our lives is being victorious to a more significant future. And that is our eternal glory with Christ.

"For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what he has done." Matthew 16:27